Many of the students at Sheridan High School are educated on the opportunities they have to attend The University of Wyoming, but some may not understand the options they have outside of the state. The surrounding states offer the chance to experience a new community and a potentially wider variety of people and education.

   In the community, a student has opportunities to apply for a multitude of scholarships backed by many of the local businesses in Sheridan. The Sheridan Elks Local Lodge #520 offers a scholarship based on the morals and character of the applicant.  Another scholarship is offered by the Sheridan WYO Rodeo. Applicants are required to have a 3.0 GPA, written proof of admission to college, and good moral character. Only three of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo scholarships will be given to Sheridan County graduates. Additionally, the Kiwanis Club offers a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating Sheridan County senior. Most of the consideration for the scholarship is based on student need and community service. These are only some of the many scholarship opportunities in the community. For a full list of possibilities, Jenna Mavarakis has a packet of all scholarships offered in Sheridan. Mavrakis can be reached at [email protected] or at 672-2495.

   Some colleges outside of Wyoming tend to offer scholarships specifically for out-of-state applicants. For example, Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont. offers varying levels of scholarships. The university has nearly 15,000 undergraduate enrollments, and has an out-of -state tuition of $25,708. That can seem daunting, but the college offers three different levels of scholarships for out-of-state enrollees. The lowest level scholarship is the Achievement Award, where the student must submit a self-reported GPA and either their SAT or ACT scores. The next step up is the Distinction award, which requires all test scores, proof of high school GPA, and applicants must fill out the Distinction Awards Application to be submitted along with all other requirements. The highest level is the Academic Excellence WUE Award.This level requires all of the same materials as the last, but the administration takes a close look at GPA, scores, and the applicants’ high school actions. This scholarship is one of the most competitive for out-of-state students, but it can offer up to $16,600 per year. Idaho is another close state where Boise State University is located. To receive the Gem Scholarship, applicants must be permanent out-of-state residents, have a GPA of 3.30 or higher, and be accepted to an eligible graduate program. If a student receives this scholarship, he or she will still be responsible for resident fees. 

   The options mentioned before are not the only paths students have for out-of-state college education. For more knowledge on the topic, Jenna Mavrakis and Anne Travis are willing to help any students wanting more information on scholarships for both in state and out-of-state universities. Travis can be contacted at [email protected] or at 672-2495.